Property could be available for park creation

Monday

Mar 20, 2017 at 4:00 PM

St. Joseph County could be in line to secure a wooded parcel with river access in Fabius Township.

Jef Rietsma

St. Joseph County could be in line to secure a wooded parcel with river access in Fabius Township. Parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald told commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday that a 60-acre parcel was willed to three siblings. The so-called Kettles parcel is on the east side of U.S. 131, just south of Gleason Road. It abuts the St. Joseph River. MacDonald said in discussions he’s had with the siblings, one wants to donate her one-third portion to the parks and recreation department. The other two, however, do not, but are interested in selling their collective two-thirds. “So, we were trying to figure out how to structure this because we felt like it fell right into our water trail master plan,” MacDonald said. “With the opportunity of the (Department of Natural Resources) trust fund, we would have the match requirement with her donating her third, so the county would have no expense to get this parcel.” MacDonald said discussions with the family have gone on the past two years and the issue is at a point where the county needs to pursue the potential acquisition or take a pass. The property has about 3,500 feet of frontage along the St. Joseph River and includes a groundwater-fed stream. MacDonald said it also has remnant prairie and a nice mix of mature trees. “We just think it’s an ideal location where it sits geographically in the county for our water trail master plan,” MacDonald noted. “What we’re envisioning there is really more of a preserve-type area. The extent of the development would be a smaller trail system, and a canoe and kayak launch.” He noted there are some dilapidated buildings on the parcel that, in order to comply with the DNR grant, would have to be razed at the county’s expense. MacDonald estimated the demolitions would cost about $5,000. The appraised value of the 60 acres is $225,000. MacDonald said the grant would fund up to $166,500, meaning that amount plus the value of the donation would cover the purchase. “So, our match is actually the third that she is donating,” MacDonald said. “The grant would cover the rest.” Commissioner Dennis Allen said he has fielded criticism from some of his constituents concerned about the abundance of attention – and funding – the county’s parks have been receiving. “I’ve got to be honest with you, people have been beating me up on parks, and now we’re going to go and do another park,” Allen said. “People are saying we’ve got enough parks, but I understand, too, that we’re getting land for zero dollars.” The issue will be up for a vote during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.